While no one in Cupertino has confirmed anything just yet, one analyst has taken a look at the numbers and prognosticates that such a move could be forthcoming.

Leaner, meaner lineup

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo ran the numbers on Apple's current notebook lineup and says the 17-inch MacBook Pro is ripe for being terminated "in order to maintain a lean product line strategy."

Kuo expects Apple to focus on OS X Mountain Lion, Intel's Ivy Bridge processor upgrades and annual back-to-school demand when it rolls out its products for the rest of the year, which thus far has been devoid of new notebooks for 2012.

Thin is in

In a note to investors on Monday, Kuo adds, "We also predict Apple will roll out a fully new MacBook model in early 3Q12, boasting strong performance and easy carryability by combining the advantages of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro."